Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008

HR 2642, [Public Law 110-252]--Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008--Changes to Montgomery GI Bill educational program. HR 4889--The Guard and Reserves Are Fighting Too Act of 2008--Recodifies under federal veterans' benefits provisions former federal armed forces provisions relating to educational assistance programs for members of the Ready Reserve ordered to active duty by reason of war or national emergency. Revises the amount of assistance available for licensing or certification tests. Includes under such recodification provisions concerning an educational assistance allowance for members of the Ready Reserve for flight training. Repeals the authority for accelerated payment of such assistance. Provides for program administration through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for FY 2010 and thereafter (with transition provisions). Extends the time limitation for the use of the Ready Reserve educational assistance entitlement to ten years after separation from the Ready Reserve. HR 5684--Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008--Amend title 38, USC, to make certain improvements in the basic educational assistance program administered by the VA Secretary. HR 5740, S 22--Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assist Act of 2008--Amend title 38, USC, to establish a program of educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. HR 6224--Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008--Direct the VA Secretary to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, USC. S 1718--Veterans Education Tuition Support Act--Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for reimbursement to servicemembers of tuition for programs of education interrupted by military service, for deferment of students loans and reduced interest rates for servicemembers during periods of military service. S 2139--National Guard and Reserve Educational Benefits Fairness Act of 2007--Amend title 38, USC, provide educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve extended period of continuous active duty that include a prolonged period of service in certain theaters of operation. S 2683--Amend title 38, USC, to modify certain authorities relating to educational assistance benefits for veterans and for other purposes--Amends federal provisions concerning veterans' educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to: (1) allow the accelerated payment of such assistance for the pursuit of education leading to employment in high-technology industry only for programs of education which do not lead to an associate or higher degree; (2) terminate the June 30, 2010, delimiting period on an expanded scope of work activities that may be assigned to individuals participating in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study programs; and (3) authorize appropriations for VA payments to state agencies which approve programs of education for purposes of participation in the VA educational assistance programs. S 2926--Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act of 2008--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to modify and update provisions of law relating to nonprofit research and education corporations. S 2938--Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention and Readjustment Through Education Act of 2008--A bill to amend title 10 and 38, USC, to improve educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces and veterans in order to enhance recruitment and retention for the Armed Forces. S 2864--Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2008--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to include improvement in quality of life in the objectives of training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for other purposes. HR 3008--Rural Veterans Services Outreach and Training Act--Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to make competitive grants to provide financial assistance to state departments of veterans affairs for the training of rural county veteran service officers in order to improve outreach and assistance to veterans, as well as their spouses, children and parents, who may be eligible to receive veterans' or veterans-related benefits and who are residing in rural counties. Limits each grant to $1 million. Requires grants to be made on an annual basis. S 2864--Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act of 2008--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to include improvement in quality of life in the objectives of training and rehabilitation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for other purposes. S 2273--Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of 2007--A bill to enhance the functioning and integration of formerly homeless veterans who reside in permanent housing and for other purposes. HR 3889--Amend title 38, USC, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study of the vocational rehabilitation programs administered by the Secretary--Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a longitudinal study for at least 20 years of the veterans who begin participating a vocational rehabilitation program during FY 2008. HR 5684--Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008--Amend title 38, USC, to make certain improvements in the basic educational assistance program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and for other purposes. S 1718--Veterans Tuition Support Act--A bill to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for reimbursement to servicemembers of tuition for programs of education interrupted by military service, for deferment of students loans and reduced interest rates for servicemembers during periods of military service and for other purposes. S 2471--USERRA Enforcement Improvement Act--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to improve the enforcement of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 and for other purposes. S 2273--Enhanced Opportunities for Formerly Homeless Veterans Residing in Permanent Housing Act of 2007--A bill to enhance the functioning and integration of formerly homeless veterans who reside in permanent housing and for other purposes. HR 6272--SMOCTA Reauthorization Act of 2008--Authorize discretionary appropriations to carry out the Service Members Occupational Conversion and Training Act of 1992. HR 6224--Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008--Direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, USC. HR 6221--Veteran-Owned Small Business Protection and Clarification Act of 2008--Amend title 38, USC, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in each contract the Secretary enters for the acquisition of goods and services a provision that requires the contracted to comply with the contracting goals and preferences for small business concerns owned or controlled by veterans and for other purposes. Various Bills--View on pending Legislations--Ensure that veterans who sacrifice their lives continue to receive the support of their country.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 2818, Epilepsy Centers of Excellence H.R. 3298, the "21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act" H.R. 3393, the "Reservist Access to Justice Act of 2007" H.R. 3467, the "Second Chance for America's Veterans Act" H.R. 3681, the "Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007" H.R. 3889, Longitudinal Study of VA Voc Rehab H.R. 4255, the "United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Program Act" H.R. 4884, the "Helping our Veterans to Keep their Homes Act of 2008" H.R. 4889, the "Guard and Reserve Are Fighting Too Act of 2008" H.R. 4915, the Vetrans Access to Local Options for Recovery Act" H.R. 5554, the Veterans Substance Use Disorders Prevention and Treatment Act" H.R. 5595, the Make Our Veterans Smile Act" H.R. 5622, the "Veterans Timely Access to Health Care Act" H.R. 5664, Specially Adapted Housing H.R. 5684, the "Veterans Education Improvement Act of 2008" H.R. 5729, the "Spina Bifida Health Care Program Expansion Act" H.R. 6122, the "Veterans' Pain Care Act" H.R. 6277, the "SMOCTA Reauthorization Act" S. 22, the "Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act" S. 161, the "Veterans' Disability Compensation Automatic COLA Act" S. 961, the "Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act" S. 2091, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Act" S. 2139, the "National Guard and Reserve Educational Benefits Fairness Act" S. 2309, the "Compensation for Combat Veterans Act" S. 2377/H.R. 4463, the "Veterans Health Care Quality Improvement Act" S. 2550, the "Combat Veterans Debt Elimination Act" S. 2573, the "Veterans Mental Health Treatment First Act" S. 2617, the "Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act" S. 2639, the Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act" S. 2674, the "America's Wounded Warriors Act" S. 2737, the Veterans' Rating Schedule Review Act" S. 2799, the "Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act" S. 2824/H.R. 4089 S. 2864, the "Training and Rehabilitation for Disabled Veterans Enhancement Act" S. 2889, the "Veterans Health Care Act" S. 2921, the "Caring for Wounded Warriors Act" S. 2926, the "Veterans Nonprofit Research and Education Corporations Enhancement Act: S. 2938, the "Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment Through Education Act" S. 2969, the "Veterans' Medical Personnel Recruitment and Retention Act" S. 2984, the "Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act" The "Veterans Disability Benefits Claims Modernization Act"

Client expense: $71,994 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), SENATE, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

HR 112--GI Advance Education in Science and Technology Act--Directs the VA Secretary to pay a monthly stipend to each individual who is entitled to veterans' basic educational assistance and is pursuing full-time a doctoral degree in the sciences of engineering, mathematics, or other technology disciplines. Allows such payment in addition to any other authorized Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance. Makes such payment $1,200 a month (adjusted for inflation for fiscal years after 2005) for up to 60 months. HR 1102--Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007--Amend title 38, USC, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs for members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, to improve such programs. HR 1211--Resuming Education After Defense Service Act of 2007--Provide entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve who aggregate more than two years of active duty service in any five year period. HR 1214--Veterans' Survivors Education Enhancement Act--Amend title 38, USC, to expand and enhance educational assistance for survivors and dependents of veterans. HR 1330--Amend title 10, USC, to extend the time limit for the use of educations assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and members of the reserve component supporting contingency operations and certain other operations--Extends the conditional time limit for the use of basic educational assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and members of the reserve components supporting contingency operations and certain other operations to 14 years after the date on which the person first becomes entitled to such assistance (current law) or ten years after the date on which (currently, the date on which) the person is separated from the Selected Reserve or reserve component. HR 1824--Amend title 38, USC, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used--Permits accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to an individual enrolled in an approved program of education that leads to employment as an operator of a commercial motor vehicle. Excludes benefits payable under the Montgomery GI Bill from consideration as income for purposes of determining eligibility for education grants or loans under any other provision of Federal law. HR 2385--21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007--Provide and enhance education, housing, and entrepreneur assistance for veterans who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. HR 2910--Veterans Education Tuition Support Act of 2007 or the VETS Act of 2007--Amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for reimbursement to members of the Armed Forces of tuition for programs of education delayed by military service, for deferment of students loans and reduced interest rates for members of the Armed Forces during periods of military service. HR 4889--Guards and Reserves Are Fighting To Act of 2008--Amend title 38, USC, to recodify as part of that title chapter 1607 of title 10, USC [Montgomery GI Bill program]. HR 2247; S 1261--Montgomery GI Bill fir Life Act of 2007--Amend titles 10 and 38, USC, to repeal the 10-year limit on use of Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance benefits. HR 2702; S 22--Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007--Amends federal veterans' benefits provisions to entitle to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill certain individuals who serve on active duty in the Armed Forces (including the reserves) on or after September 11, 2001. S 526--Veterans Employment and Training Act of 2007--A bill to amend title 38, USC, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used. S 644--Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007--Amend title 38, USC, to recodify as part of that title certain educational assistance programs. S 698--Veterans Survivors Education Enhancement Act of 2007--Revises provisions concerning educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to terminate the 45-month limitation on: (1) the use of such assistance for eligible veterans' survivors and dependents; and (2) the use of such assistance for special restorative training. Makes survivors and dependents eligible for educationakl assistance until their 30th (currently 26th) birthday. Makes the aggregate amount of educational assistnace $80,000. (Currently, there are monthly limits for full--time, three quarter-time, or half-time educational pursuit.) Includes within authorized educational pursuits in such amounts: (1) a program of apprenticeship or other on-job-training; and (2) a correspondence course. Makes survivors and dependents eligible for tutorial assistance. S 723--Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2007--A bill to provide certain enhancements to the Montgomery GI Bill Program for certain individuals who serve as members of the Armed Forces after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. S 1293--Veterans' Education and Vocational Benefits Improvement Act of 2007--Authorizes the accelerated payment of veterans' educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for individuals who, during the period beginning October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2012, first enroll in an approved program of education not exceeding two years and not leading to an associate, bachelors, masters, or equivalent degree (in effect, for vocational school). Provides the same benefit for: (1) participants under the survivors' and dependents' educational assistance program; (2) members of the Selected Reserve; and (3) reserve personnel supporting contingency and other combat-related operations. Authorizes, for the latter personnel, the payment of 80% of the total educational assistance allowance for those serving the aggregate of three years or more in support of such contingency or related operations. Authorizes such personnel to make pay contributions for an increased amount of educational assistance. S 1409--21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act of 2007--A bill to provide and enhance education, housing, and entrepreneur assistance for veterans who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. S 1719--A bill to amend title 38, USC--Legislation to provide additional educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to veterans pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. PL 108-454--Expiring Department of Veterans Affairs Program--The expiration of the Veterans Affairs program on earned education benefits. HR 5474--Student Veterans Financial Aid Fairness Act Letter--Supports passage of major enhancements to veterans' education benefits in tandem with other federal education loan program. S 2575--Montgomery GI Bill Educational Act Letter--Allow the transferability of MGIB education benefits to eligible dependents of fully qualified veteran, spouse or children.

Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Defense, Dept of (DOD), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), State, Dept of (DOS), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)